In July 1806 Meriwether Lewis and his party were the first recorded white
men in the area. Captain Lewis writes of his scrimmage with a tribe of
Indian (probably Piegans or Blackfeet) along the Marias River.

Following the Lewis and Clark Expedition, fur trappers, hardy adventurers,
and a few prospectors came, and in the 1880’s large cattle and sheep ranches
were established.

Between 1910 and 1918 two homestead acts brought many settlers to the
area. Homesteader “shacks” appeared on virtually every quarter or
half-section as people swarmed into the newly opened territory to “prove-up”
on their acres. Many who came went broke, perished in drought, or froze in
long, cold winters. Others stuck out the hardships and formed the basis for
the modern mechanized farming economy prevalent in this area today.

Liberty County was created from sections of Chouteau and Hill counties in
1919 when 72% of the voters in the area voted for the proposition. At this
same election Chester was chosen as the county seat. Liberty County became
the first county formed after World War I in the state of Montana.

My name is Amber Carter and I am the Liberty County Coordinator.
I am looking for more information to add to this website.
If you have any births, deaths, Bible records, photos, etc. to share
please contact me.

Liberty County needs volunteers to help researchers
by providing information
from books or other materials pertaining to Liberty County.
If you would be willing to do Look-ups for researchers, please contact me.